Bonza Baileys complete marathon

First Oz-designed and built Bailey vans finish 7000km, across-Australia endurance test with few scars

Two, new Australian-designed and built Bailey Rangefinder caravans have come through a unique real-world trans-Australia endurance test with flying colours.

The lightweight, pre-production prototype 21ft 7in and 1800kg tare weight Gemini ‘family’ van and its bigger brother, the 22ft 6in, 1950kg tare weight Nebula, successfully crossed the girth of the Australian content from Shark Bay in Western Australia to Byron Bay, covering nearly 7000km during their 14-day journey.

That included more than 2000km on unsealed and little used Outback roads, and over bone-jarring corrugations rarely experienced by an ‘on-road’ caravan.

It was the first time that any Australian manufacturer has subjected a new model caravan range to such a public endurance test. But what made the run most remarkable is that the new Rangefinder vans were not specially strengthened ‘off-road’ models, but full-length, fully equipped standard touring vans.

They were built in Melbourne using the combination of UK supplied Alu-Tech body panels and locally-sourced components, but without beefed up suspension systems or chassis.

Towed by Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series Sahara V8 diesel SUVs, the rigs completed a full lap of the lower half of Australia. Starting at Bailey Australia’s factory in Campbellfield, Victoria, they were driven to Perth and then to Denham at the most westerly caravan-accessible part of Western Australia for the crossing. On completion they were towed back to Melbourne.

Despite being driven hard all the way, on and off road, and taking full advantage of the maximum allowable speed limits – including the newly extended de-restriction zone on the Stuart Highway north of Alice Springs, the rigs’ diesel fuel consumption was as low as 15.9 litres/100km, with the Gemini returning 18.1L/100km overall for the entire 13,000km round trip.

The other ‘Cruiser towing the larger Nebula averaged 19.9l/100km overall, but its economy was compromised by its full-length roof rack that carried 60 litres of spare fuel, two full-size mounted spare wheels and tyres and two pairs of MaxTrax throughout the trip.

Both caravans travelled with their twin 105 litre fresh water tanks (total 210 litres) mostly full and as a result each carried about two thirds of their permissible 500kg payload.

Also impressive was the entire absence of drama on the trip.

No punctures were experienced on either the tow cars or caravans despite the widely varying road conditions and air temperatures in the range from zero to 30 degrees Celcius and nothing structural broke on any caravan or tow car.

However not surprisingly, given the punishing schedule and the prototype nature of the two Bailey vans, there were a few minor casualties.

A lower cupboard hinge, a cupboard latch and a drawer front all came unstuck on corrugations on the Gemini family van, while it shipped some fine red ‘bull-dust’ into its bunk and ensuite areas.

However in its defence this van was the first Rangefinder built and had previously completed the equivalent of 10,000km of ‘destruction testing’ at the Australian Automotive Research Centre at Anglesea, Victoria before embarking on the West-East crossing.

The Nebula, with its large U-shaped Euro-style front lounge, central separate shower and toilet ensuite and rear queen bed, took in far less dust and its only failings were the decorative trim panel that came off the front of its fridge door and a faulty catch on a rear cupboard.

Bailey Australia Managing Director Adrian Van Geelen was delighted with the result.

“We really stuck our chin out on this trip and the small issues we had with both vans will now be solved in production versions that are now being built,” he said.

“It was a great opportunity for us to put these new caravans through real-world testing rather than rely on feedback from customers after they took delivery, as most other manufacturers do.

“More importantly, as the major chassis, suspension, body structure and interior cabinetry and equipment is shared by all Rangefinder caravans, we can be confident that every solution we apply will be shared by all Rangefinders built.”

The new Bailey Rangefinder Gemini and Nebula models will be joined on their public launch at Melbourne’s Leisurefest from October 8-11 by the entry-level 20ft length, 1775kg Tare weight Astro model.

Australia-wide pricing is expected to be announced as $59,990 for the Astro, $62,500 for the Gemini and $66,500 for the Nebula.

Bonza Baileys complete marathon

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